FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – Heath High School boys soccer coach Mark Madison has been named a Coach of the Year in the national Play it Forward contest. Sponsored by Up2Us, the leading national coalition of youth sports organizations, and Youth Noise, a social networking website for young people, the Play it Forward contest invited current and former youth athletes to nominate coaches who have had an effect on their lives. Entries were posted at: http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/playitforward and winners were voted on and selected online.
Coach Madison was nominated by one of his players at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky. “Coach Madison basically revived the new soccer program at Heath,” Alex Davis said, explaining that prior to Coach Madison’s arrival at the school the team failed to perform to its potential. “Just two years after Coach Madison became coach, our team was in the State Tournament four times in a row.” His players have gone on to play soccer at Division II, III, and NAIA colleges.
Equally important to Coach Madison’s players is the pride and sense of family he instills in them. “If there is a problem within the team then Coach makes us solve it; not he himself, but us,” Alex Davis explains. “He says that we are his family and we all believe it 110%.” If players feel they need extra coaching, he will come in early in the morning or stay late after practice to work with them one-on-one.
“An award like this is very humbling. Knowing that my players did this without my knowledge is even more rewarding.,” said Mark Madison. “I have always asked a tremendous amount from my players both physically and mentally. They deserve as much of the credit for our accomplishments as anyone”
“The winners of the Coach of the Year contest are not only great coaches, but, like Mark Madison, are mentors and leaders who are dedicated to improving their players’ lives and performances both on and off the soccer field,” said Paul Caccamo, Executive Director of Up2Us.
Mark Madison will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend the Up2Us National Conference on Sports-Based Youth Development on October 22 and 23. The first of its kind conference will be attended by youth sports leaders from across the US. Coach Madison will be honored at a special reception, and will receive an award from professional tennis player Monica Seles and Olympic gold medalist and track and field star Edwin Moses.
To view information on Mark Madison and the other winners of the contest visit: http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/playitforward.
Local Soccer Coach Named A Coach of the Year
Heath High School’s Mark Madison Honored in National “Play it Forward” Contest
Heath High School’s Mark Madison Honored in National “Play it Forward” Contest
Washington, D.C. – Heath High School boys soccer coach Mark Madison has been named a Coach of the Year in the national Play it Forward contest. Sponsored by Up2Us, the leading national coalition of youth sports organizations, and Youth Noise, a social networking website for young people, the Play it Forward contest invited current and former youth athletes to nominate coaches who have had an effect on their lives. Entries were posted at: http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/playitforward and winners were voted on and selected online.
Coach Madison was nominated by one of his players at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky. “Coach Madison basically revived the new soccer program at Heath,” Alex Davis said, explaining that prior to Coach Madison’s arrival at the school the team failed to perform to its potential. “Just two years after Coach Madison became coach, our team was in the State Tournament four times in a row.” His players have gone on to play soccer at Division II, III, and NAIA colleges.
Equally important to Coach Madison’s players is the pride and sense of family he instills in them. “If there is a problem within the team then Coach makes us solve it; not he himself, but us,” Alex Davis explains. “He says that we are his family and we all believe it 110%.” If players feel they need extra coaching, he will come in early in the morning or stay late after practice to work with them one-on-one.
“An award like this is very humbling. Knowing that my players did this without my knowledge is even more rewarding.,” said Mark Madison. “I have always asked a tremendous amount from my players both physically and mentally. They deserve as much of the credit for our accomplishments as anyone”
“The winners of the Coach of the Year contest are not only great coaches, but, like Mark Madison, are mentors and leaders who are dedicated to improving their players’ lives and performances both on and off the soccer field,” said Paul Caccamo, Executive Director of Up2Us.
Mark Madison will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend the Up2Us National Conference on Sports-Based Youth Development on October 22 and 23. The first of its kind conference will be attended by youth sports leaders from across the US. Coach Madison will be honored at a special reception, and will receive an award from professional tennis player Monica Seles and Olympic gold medalist and track and field star Edwin Moses.
To view information on Mark Madison and the other winners of the contest visit: http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/playitforward.
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